Manchester City's pre-season tour has taken them to Seoul, where extreme heat is making training and matches difficult. The team will remain in the South Korean capital for a few more days before returning to Manchester ahead of the Community Shield clash with Arsenal.
Heat warnings and empty stands
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued repeated advisories urging people to avoid outdoor activities, and temperatures have been punishing. On Wednesday night, the Seoul World Cup Stadium was less than half full for the match against the K League All Stars, as fans stayed away due to the conditions. However, the players had no choice but to try to build rhythm and momentum while coping with the heat.
Bettinelli: 'The heat was unbearable'
Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who came on in the second half, struggled visibly. "I've not played for a long time and I wasn't sure whether I was dying out there of the intensity and the heat of the game or I've just been out for such a long time," he said. "The heat was unbearable. I was shouting instructions and stuff and it was taking me four or five times to get my breath back so it was really hard. I don't know how the boys managed to do it because I was stood still, so a massive credit to the lads."
Looking ahead
With similar conditions expected for the rest of the week, City must find a way to navigate training and their match against Atletico on Sunday, ensuring they make progress under Enzo Maresca before the Community Shield and the start of the Premier League season. The Blues fly home on Monday after the Atletico game.
